Amy McEntee

Biography

Born: Glasgow, Scotland

Trained: Central School of Ballet, London

Joined Scottish Ballet: 2017

When did you start dancing?I went to my first ballet class when I was 5. I started at Helen Chambers’ ballet school and went on to train in Scottish Ballet's Junior Associate Programme, the Dance School of Scotland and finally Central School of Ballet in London.

Do you remember a moment when you decided or realised that you wanted to be a professional dancer?I think like most dancers, ballet started off as a hobby and I was encouraged to pursue it further by my teachers. It hadn’t really considered that I could actually have a career in dance until I was about 12 and I definitely started taking it a lot more seriously.

Describe something about your dancing that has changed since joining Scottish Ballet. What caused this change?I think the main change I’ve noticed in myself is my approach to how I learn choreography. Especially in a show like The Nutcracker, you have to be aware of all of the other corps de ballet roles as you never know when you’re going to have to jump in.

What’s your pre-show ritual?For me, it changes for every show depending on what I’m performing that night. During The Nutcracker tour it has usually involved listening to music with the other girls in the dressing room whilst we do our hair and makeup, and fitting in a quick warm up before the show.

Are there any dancers or artists that inspire you?I’ve found it really inspiring to see the productions go from the learning and rehearsal process in the studio to the finished product on stage, and all the hard work that goes into the process from the whole company.

What has been a highlight of your time with Scottish Ballet?I think it’s probably when I first danced with the company in Emergence at Sadler’s Wells just before I graduated. Crystal Pite is one of my favourite choreographers so I was really excited to dance in one of her works. It was also the first time I had met most the of the other company members so it was nice to dance in a big group piece with such great energy. I also loved dancing an excerpt from Highland Fling for the annual fundraiser for the same reason. Dancing Highland Fling also felt quite special as it was the first show my aunt took me to see when I was younger.

How does it feel to have landed a position with your own national dance company?It definitely felt a bit surreal when I first joined, especially since the last time I was dancing at the Tramway studios was as a Scottish Ballet Junior Associate. I feel really privileged that I’m able to do what I love for a living whilst also having most of my family and friends so close by. I think that’s something very few people are able to have.